Coming Soon
Page 20
And in his arms, I realized he was right. It wouldn’t be easy. It wouldn’t be quick. But as long as I had Jase, I had all I really needed.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Jase held his hands over my eyes. “No peeking.”
I giggled and blindly reached for the door. “What are you doing?”
In the two months since I’d told him I loved him, everything had changed for us. Jase had won his first SKIN award and my visits to the therapist were going well.
With the help of Monica, my therapist, I was well on my way to recovery. She seemed pleased by the steps I’d taken to heal myself.
We hadn’t been able to get the clip of me off the internet completely, but it didn’t matter anymore. I refused to live my life in the past, full of regrets and what ifs.
Monica had spoken to me about reporting Tom’s actions. I had no doubts I would soon be strong enough to do so. I’d called Betty, Tom’s wife, and told her what he’d done to me. She hadn’t believed me, which was typical in cases like this according to Monica, but I heard she’d kicked him out of the house, so she must’ve decided there was truth to my statement after all.
Jase guided me through the doorway, and I heard the flicker of the light switch. “Really, what are you doing? Why are you covering my eyes?”
“It’s a surprise,” he said and continued to lead me inside our apartment.
I sniffed the air. “Is that cake? Why do I smell cake?”
“Okay, now you can look.”
He removed his hands, and a chorus of voices rang out. I jumped in surprise. “A party?”
Jase nudged me toward the kitchen where a dozen people waited with smiling faces, streamers, and balloons.
Honey came forward and grabbed my hand. “Congratulations on passing your test.”
In the intervening weeks since I’d resumed my job at Dagger Productions, Honey had become a surrogate mother. She filled the void left by the death of my own. Although she wasn’t mine, her kind, motherly ways made it hurt a little less.
Posey was next. She threw her arms around me and squeezed. As far as I knew, she’d told no one but me and Jase about the baby. The swell of her belly pressed against me. She couldn’t hide her pregnancy much longer.
Mark folded his arms around the both of us, capturing me in the middle. “Congrats, Diamond.”
He’d never given up his nickname for me, and I laughed as he crushed me in his embrace. “Okay, big guy. Let go of me so I can check out my cake.”
Jase stood with me as Honey served slices of warm, delicious cake to each of the guests. I licked frosting off the fork and hummed with pleasure. “Heaven.”
Jase bent down and licked my lips. “Sweet. Like you.”
Mark passed out glasses of champagne and held his in the air. “Cheers!”
Jase clinked our flutes together. I took a sip and laughed as the bubbles tickled my nose. Posey lifted the glass to her lips, but I noticed she didn’t drink. She gave me a wry grin. Her lovesick gaze moved to Mark time and time again even though he’d brought along a date.
“Sorry,” I mouthed to her.
She shrugged and mouthed back, “It’s okay.”
Pity for my friend dampened some of my enjoyment, but as time passed, I loosened up and actually enjoyed myself. Being the center of attention didn’t frighten me like it once had. I laughed and chatted with my co-workers and new friends, fielding the praise and congratulations with Jase at my side.
I turned to him during a lull in the conversation and whispered, “You realize you don’t have to stay with me the entire night, don’t you?”
He put his hand om my waist and pulled me closer. “I like being next to you.”
I covered his hand with my own and lifted my face for a kiss. “By all means, stay then.”
It was midnight before the party wound down. I stood at the door with Jase and said goodbye to our guests.
Posey hugged me the longest, using it as an excuse to whisper into my ear, “I’m going to tell him.”
“Mark?” I whispered back.
“Yes.” She pulled back with worry in her gaze. “How will he react?”
I glanced at the man in question as he helped his tipsy date to her slightly unsteady feet.
“I don’t know,” I answered with honesty. “We won’t until you tell him.”
Posey gave me a sad nod. “You’re right. Wish me luck.”
“Good luck.”
I meant it. I wished nothing but happiness for her. “No matter what he says or does, I’ll still be here for you.”
“And me too,” Jase interjected as he joined us. “We’ll both be here to help you.”
He’d learned about the pregnancy when Posey informed him she couldn’t act anymore. He’d agreed to keep it a secret and leave her on payroll until the baby came.
Posey smiled, but tears sparkled in her eyes. “Thank you.”
Mark and his date left last. He freed one hand from his date’s death grip and slapped Jase on the back. “Great party, man. And you,” he turned and kissed my cheek. “You get prettier every time I see you. Better keep a close eye on her or I may steal her away.”
Mark winked at us before towing his date out the door and shutting it behind them.
I made a step toward the kitchen. “I’d better start cleaning.”
Jase grabbed my hand and pulled me back. “I’ll clean. I want to give you your present first.”
“You got me a present?” Excitement rang in my voice. “Really?”
The party was present enough, but the prettily wrapped package he retrieved from his jacket on the coat rack made me squeal with delight. “Oh, what is it?”
“Open it and find out,” he commanded.
I untied the pink ribbon and tore into the silver wrapping to discover a white velvet box.
“Jase?” I questioned, recognizing the name embossed on the top of the box as a very expensive custom jeweler.
He seemed nervous. “Open it.”
I flipped the top up and stared at the enormous diamond nestled in the bed of white velvet. “Oh!”
Jase slid the platinum band out of the box and kneeled before me. He took my shaky hand in his and spoke the words I’d never expected him to say. “Cara Daniels, will you marry me?”
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Are you serious?”
“Completely.”
“But people will say we’re too young,” I argued.
“Let them. I don’t care.” He stared up at me. “Answer me this question then. Do you love me?”
I nodded. “I do.”
“Do you want to be with me forever?” His gaze dared me to answer honestly.
“You know I do.”
He smiled as if he’d suspected my answer the entire time. “Then marry me.”
“I…” My voice trailed off as I stared at the ring, at the promise he was making to be with me, only me, forever. “How could my answer be anything but yes?”
His face lit up. “You’re saying yes?”
“Yes, Jase. I’ll marry you.”
He slid the ring on my finger and bounded to his feet. His kiss made me lightheaded with happiness and desire. When he released me, he lifted my hand and kissed my ring finger. “A diamond for a Diamond.”
I smiled. “Don’t let Mark find out you used his nickname for me. You’ll never hear the end of it.”
“It’s true though. You are a diamond. My diamond.”
I thought of his family who, like he’d predicted, had refused to speak to either of us. I didn’t mind the rift between me and his sister and mother, but I hated Jase and his father being caught in the middle. Maybe one day we’d move past the old hurts and go forward, but it would take time.
Monica had suggested extending an olive branch. She’d promised to act as a mediator for us, an idea Jase was finally warming up to.
I wrapped my arms around him. “I love you.”
“I love you,” he answered. “I’m ready for whatever comes
next.”
“Marriage,” I stated with a smile.
“And a baby carriage.” He laughed when my smile slipped. “I’m kidding. I want to bring a child into our world, but not yet.”
He slipped his hands to my stomach, and I covered them with my own. “Not now, but soon,” I agreed. “At least two. I hated being an only child.”
“One boy and one girl.”
I smiled with happiness at the lovely thought. Eighteen was too young, but I saw my life unfold before my eyes and it was wonderful.
The rest of my life would be perfect.
Soon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Christy Gissendaner is a contemporary and paranormal romance author who believes laughter and love should go hand in hand.
Christy lives in Alabama with her husband and three sons. She’s always hard at work on her next novel, but in her spare time she loves blackjack, karaoke, and anything resembling a vacation!
To find out more, please visit:
http://christygissendaner.webs.com
http://www.twitter.com/christygis
http://www.facebook.com/christygis
http://www.goodreads.com/christygissendaner